And now, I'd like to turn the time over to Elder Pearce to answer mom's questions:
So as far as investigators
go, we have a ton. We got two more new investigators this week. One is
an older gentleman named Arturo. He is actually a reference of another
investigator, Isabel, who's husband is the doctor. Arturo is very
intellectual and loves to read. He told us that he was looking to add a
more spiritual element in his life. We told him about our purpose as
missionaries and about the Book of Mormon. He told us he used to have
one but lost it. Luckily, I had an extra one to give away. When I gave
it to him his eyes lit up and he held it with such care, and turned the
pages with an almost reverent touch. Then he hugged it in his arms and
thanked us. He told us he would read it so that we could talk about it
next week. He's going to progress well.
Another
investigator we have is a 22 or so year old guy named Rody. Rody is a
street contact that Elder Johanson made with his previous companion. He lives next to a less active that they had been teaching (who is also
progressing). One day there was a small earthquake (not really though.
Peruvians make a big deal out of EVERYTHING). Elder Johanson and his
companion were looking for the other guy when they bumped into Rody. He
told them that he had just thought of God for the first time in two
years, then there was an earthquake, and the missionaries showed up.
Pretty cool, He's very intellectual as well. He's a university student
and is super smart. With some people this could be hard because
intellectuals challenge everything, and that's kind of how he was at
first. But slowly his heart has been softened, and now he uses his
intellect to find reasons why the church is true. Yesterday at church he
told me he'd looked up how many LDS churches there were in the world,
and he was amazed at the number. He told me that's how he knew this was
true, because the work is progressing and has been for hundreds of years
now. When we taught him the law of tithing he said it wasn't something
he wanted to do, so he was going to pray for the faith to do it. It's
amazing when you can see changes in these very special people.
As
for transport, we take taxis almost daily. At least when we go down to
the actual city of Andahuaylas. Our sector is called San Jeronimo. It's a
small town (a little farther into the boonies) outside of Andahuaylas.
So when we work in San Jeronimo we walk everywhere. There are some GIANT
hills that we walk up. Our sector goes part way into Andahuaylas
though, so when we go there we take a taxi or what's called a Convi.
It's just a giant van that functions as a taxi that you can cram about
500 people in if you want. And they do. They're both super cheap and
fun.
The food is really good for the most part,
and I eat a LOT. There really aren't that many weird dishes. I can even
buy ketchup here! And Twix! Usually for meals we just eat rice and
chicken and potatoes. Every meal. Rice. Chicken. Potatoes. I've seen
some pretty creative ways to throw potatoes into a meal. I actually
really like cuy, or guinea pig. It's like KFC. I really don't like
mozomora, which is like hot jello made out of purple corn. They also
make drinks out of purple corn that aren't fantastic but it's doable.
The worst thing I've ever had here is a drink called Leche Puro. It's
just milk STRAIGHT from the cow. And I mean STRAIGHT. Unpasteurized,
untreated. It tastes exactly like bum. It's usually served hot. Other
than that I haven't eaten very many weird things. Lot's of fried stuff,
like potatoes. The desserts are always good. I miss fast food and mom's
rolls. I'm in a pretty good area as far as food goes, and really
everything else. It's a great area. I hope I get to stay a little longer
after my training.
So Halloween STUNK.
Everyone here thinks that Halloween is Satan's birthday, and all the
other churches discourage people from celebrating it. The Catholics all
dress up like angels for some reason. Elder Johanson and I went and
bought a bunch of candy and soda and a pineapple after proselyting hours
and ate it. Next morning, felt fantastic.
My Spanish is improving so that's cool. I've
learned a few quechua phrases too. Other than that I'm doing good. Just
trying to work hard. The harder I work the better I feel. I love you
all. The church is true. Munanquiki!
Love,
Elder Tate
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